Expertise

Academic Areas:

  • Exercise Science
  • Kinesiology
  • Physical Activity and Health

Teaching Interests

  • Tactical athlete performance
  • Injury prevention
  • Recovery and health

Sefton’s research relates to preventing musculoskeletal injury and improving treatment, rehabilitation, and performance in tactical athletes. Her expertise includes a sports medicine focus and functional training approach to determining the physiology behind injury, treatment, and rehabilitation, and using that knowledge to improve prevention and performance.

Recent work includes:

  • Musculoskeletal injury prevention in initial-entry training Soldiers
  • How Soldier fueling impacts injury and performance
  • The use of whole body vibration in injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
  • Environmental effects on work and recovery in firefighters
  • Military stress fractures
  • Implementation of sports medicine programs into Military units
  • Impact of military vehicle exposure on service members
  • Optimizing lower limb prosthetic alignment and prosthetic selection
Communities
Physical Education, Allied Health
Degrees
PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Interdisiplinary Biology and Sports Medicine, 2007
MS, Central Connecticut State University, Exercise Science, 2003
BS, Ohio University, Zoology, 1982
Keywords
musculoskeletal system medical treatment injury prevention physical medicine and rehabilitation sports medicine virtual, simulated & augmented reality military training technology human performance (military) military personnel equipment human factors
Honors

Outstanding Faculty Award for Outreach, College of Education, 2019

Emily and Gerald Leischuck Graduate Teaching Award, College of Education. , Auburn University, 2010

Outstanding Faculty Award for Outreach, College of Education. , Auburn University, 2012

Young Investigator Award, College of Education. , Auburn University, 2009

Commanders Dedication Award, 5-15 Cavlry Squadron, Ft. Benning, GA, 2016

Commanders Service Award, 194th Armor Brigade, Ft. Benning, GA, 2016

Commanders Certificate of Appreciation, Ranger Training Brigade, Ft. Benning, GA, 2014

Commanders Dedication Award, 1-378 Infantry Battalion, Ft, Benning, GA, 2011

Inspirational Leader Award - Commanding General, MCOE, Ft. Benning, GA, 2010

Doctoral Fellowship, Department of Kinesiology (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte), 2005-2007

NATA Research and Education Foundation Doctoral Scholarship, National Athletic Training Association Research Foundation, 2005

Best Life Sciences/Medical Presentation, Graduate Research Showcase (Indiana State University), 2004

Presidents Award - Best Research Presentation, Graduate Research Showcase (Indiana State University), 2004

Doctoral Fellowship, Department of Athletic Training (Indianta State University), 2003-2005

Andrew H. Chase Outstanding Service Award, Department of Athletics (Connecticut College), 2000

Associations
National Athletic Trainers' Association
American College of Sports Medicine
National Strength and Conditioning Association - Tactical Athlete
American Massage Therapy Association
Society for Neuroscience